MotoGP Doha: criticism re the crowd at the Qatar GP. Will things be better?

The images shown on TV sparked criticism, just a few hours after the Qatari government took the decision to implement stricter anti-Covid rules, due to a peak in infections. Both public pools and gyms are now closed, and shopping centres and restaurants are kept at limited capacity, with no children allowed in these areas.

On Sunday the Losail grandstands were full, at least along the start/finish straight. The images clearly showed that people were not keeping their distance, with entire families in attendance, all packed in close together. The authorities were quick to respond.

The new measures

This Sunday, the circuit will still have permission to fill its only grandstand to 20% capacity, but there will be three times the number of people charged with keeping spectators spread out. Members of the special police force that will provide security during the 2022 World Cup will also be in attendance.

The food and drink stands open last weekend will not be available this time around. Children are not permitted, while the safety distance will be increased, a distance that must be retained also among family members.

The precedent

This was not the first time the public has attended a race in the Covid era. Last season, three races allowed spectators to attend, namely the two held in Misano in September and the French GP at Le Mans, in mid-October. In both cases, the number of people admitted was extremely limited.

Italy did a great job, the organisation at Misano impeccable, with separate entrances for each grandstand, the staggered entry and exit of spectators, strict social distancing controls, etc. It was a demonstration of organisation and courage on the part of local politicians, who dared to agree to the Misano circuit’s proposal, and it was all done very well. In fact, other circuits like Valencia even used it as an example. But the arrival of a second Covid wave put paid to the idea of opening Cheste up to the public.

The Le Mans experience was less positive. Controls were not as efficient as in Italy and social distancing was not strictly monitored, which led to overcrowding.

The examples of Losail, Misano and Le Mans serve to demonstrate that, with the right protocols and by managing everything properly, it’s perfectly possible to admit a limited number of fans to the tracks. All that’s needed is efficient organisation and the goodwill of the spectators. Let’s see how things evolve when the world championship reaches Europe in mid-April.

Translated by Heather Watson

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